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Cleveland Indians 2018-2019 Offseason Outlook

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I still think the Indians can swing an impact trade or two. They could dangle Bobby Bradley, who may be blocked now by Bauers and, for two years, Santana. McKenzie could be dealt, although I'd expect them to hold onto him. Yu Chang is highly regarded by many but is blocked by Ramirez/Lindor. And that's just a few names.

I'm not sure if Arizona is actively shopping him, but I'm hoping the Indians have checked in on David Peralta. Nicholas Castellanos is rough in the field, but his bat would look great in the lineup. Jose Martinez would be a great fit at DH if Bauers was able to play LF.

The best fit may be a team we've already dealt with - the New York Mets. They have Conforto/Lagares/Nimmo/Broxton in the outfield - one could easily be dealt. They have Jeff McNeil, who was fantastic in limited ABs last year, can play all over the field, but doesn't currently have a starting spot. They could also move Todd Frazier (eating some of his salary) and play Lowrie at 3B.
 
Steve_424 said:
I still think the Indians can swing an impact trade or two. They could dangle Bobby Bradley, who may be blocked now by Bauers and, for two years, Santana. McKenzie could be dealt, although I'd expect them to hold onto him. Yu Chang is highly regarded by many but is blocked by Ramirez/Lindor. And that's just a few names.

I'm not sure if Arizona is actively shopping him, but I'm hoping the Indians have checked in on David Peralta. Nicholas Castellanos is rough in the field, but his bat would look great in the lineup. Jose Martinez would be a great fit at DH if Bauers was able to play LF.

The best fit may be a team we've already dealt with - the New York Mets. They have Conforto/Lagares/Nimmo/Broxton in the outfield - one could easily be dealt. They have Jeff McNeil, who was fantastic in limited ABs last year, can play all over the field, but doesn't currently have a starting spot. They could also move Todd Frazier (eating some of his salary) and play Lowrie at 3B.
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Honestly we should push our chips in for something significant with 2-3 years of service.

Trading McKenzie for something great will be a nice power play.

This is the way I look at it, once Lindor is gone, our chances are going to dip. Kluber, Bauer, etc will be gone as well and the rebuild will slowly begin.

I can live with a full on rebuild without McKenzie and let the cards land where they may in these next two seasons. A world series is very possible and we probably won't be this close for another 20 years.

If there's such a deal that dramatically improves this ball club, I'm all for packaging Cheng, Bradley, and McKenzie.
 
BimboColesHair said:
If I could put a percentage below 0, those are the odds that McKenzie is moved...he’s viewed as a prospect like Frankie was coming through the pipeline among the organization, absolutely untouchable. Him and Jones are guys they have 0 interest in moving currently.
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Do you think Nolan Jones could be playing MLB ball by 2020?
 
Stark said:
Do you think Nolan Jones could be playing MLB ball by 2020?
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Possible? Yes

Likely? No


He'll likely spend most of 2019 at Lynchburg before finishing up at Akron

Then, he'll start 2020 in Akron while likely finishing in Columbus


Summer 2021 seems like a safe ETA
 
Real Deal said:
Honestly we should push our chips in for something significant with 2-3 years of service.

Trading McKenzie for something great will be a nice power play.

This is the way I look at it, once Lindor is gone, our chances are going to dip. Kluber, Bauer, etc will be gone as well and the rebuild will slowly begin.

I can live with a full on rebuild without McKenzie and let the cards land where they may in these next two seasons. A world series is very possible and we probably won't be this close for another 20 years.

If there's such a deal that dramatically improves this ball club, I'm all for packaging Cheng, Bradley, and McKenzie.
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I disagree with McKenzie since one, like BimboColesHair said, Indians will not trade him and two the hardest prospect to find is someone like McKenzie. With likely both Bauer and Kluber gone within two years (it’s possible we will trade them before they could walk on us, plus Clev may need extended) we need someone to replace them. McKenzie is the perfect guy long term for this organization.

Now if we could move a package around Bradley, I would be 100% okay with that since we have Bauers. I am also willing to trade Chang for an All-Star 3B/OF, if they still have a few years left of team control (aka like an Eaton). Jones will likely be our 3B of the future and we have Lindor and Ramirez, so I am not too worried about keeping Chang, but only for the right player would I deal him.

McKenzie will not be traded unless somehow the FO convinces the ownership to get Mike Trout and extends him for more years, while keeping the budget high. So aka not happening!
 
Nolan Jones needs to prove he can stay at 3B before he's the future of anything there.
 
AZ_ said:
Nolan Jones needs to prove he can stay at 3B before he's the future of anything there.
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Agreed. He improved there last year, but as his frame fills out he seems more likely to land at the other corner.
 
Sonny Gray to the Reds for Shed Long. Wonder how that impacts any potential deal for Kluber/Bauer.
 
Stark said:
Sonny Gray to the Reds for Shed Long. Wonder how that impacts any potential deal for Kluber/Bauer.
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I think the Gray trade and extension basically killed what chances were left of Kluber or Bauer going to Cincinnati. Cincinnati wasn't going to get either unless they were desperate and met the Indians demands. Don't think that desperation is there anymore with the additions of Gray, Wood, and Roark- even if the latter 2 may be gone in a year.
 
Urban said:
I think the Gray trade and extension basically killed what chances were left of Kluber or Bauer going to Cincinnati. Cincinnati wasn't going to get either unless they were desperate and met the Indians demands. Don't think that desperation is there anymore with the additions of Gray, Wood, and Roark- even if the latter 2 may be gone in a year.
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Reds also have a bunch of rental guys they could trade midseason if they are out of contention as well.

I don't see Kluber/Bauer getting traded now anyways since the Indians will not drop their price and it seems like no one is even willing to come close to matching what the Indians have been wanting. I am glad the Indians haven't dropped their prices, lets just hope we can get a bat or two somehow here soon.
 
Urban said:
I think the Gray trade and extension basically killed what chances were left of Kluber or Bauer going to Cincinnati. Cincinnati wasn't going to get either unless they were desperate and met the Indians demands. Don't think that desperation is there anymore with the additions of Gray, Wood, and Roark- even if the latter 2 may be gone in a year.
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I think the ship has probably sailed on trading Kluber/Bauer in general right now. No teams seems desperate enough right now to give up what the Indians are asking (and should ask). As I said before, I think the Tribe could swing a deal or too, but I think the most likely outcome is signing a vet outfielder and reliever and heading to Goodyear.
 
I agree, at this point is seems more likely that both return. It does seem like the Indians and Padres have been in steady contact. I do wonder if they eventually cave and throw Gore into a package with say Renfroe, Logan Allen, and Kirby Yates and if that is something the Indians may consider.
 
Hunter Renfroe
Adrian Morejon/Logan Allen
Chris Paddack
Kirby Yates

Feel like that's an acceptable package. Allen and Paddack are excellent prospects, Renfroe steps right into the lineup. Yates helps the pen in the short term.

Its a bet on Renfroe, but I'd definitely consider it.
 
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